Love in Action Outreach Inc., a non-profit organization on Downman Road, is doing its part to feed the hungry in eastern New Orleans. And, volunteers and monetary donations are always appreciated to help the organization help the community.

The grassroots, community-based organization offers a food pantry, food for seniors, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, as well as a thrift store.

As an agency of Second Harvest Food Bank of Greater New Orleans and Acadiana, LIAO currently serves over 2,000 households monthly, which represents over 6,000 men, women and children. In 2014, the group distributed nearly 1.5 million pounds of food.

The facility also serves as a host site for Catholic Charities to distribute at least 650 boxes (per month) of commodities to participants 60 years and older through the Food for Seniors Program.

Love in Action Thrift Store also provides gently used clothing, furnishings and other items to clients at reasonable prices. Proceeds from the store are used to cover overhead.

Love in Action Outreach Inc. was created by Gail Womack-Murray, who at the time, was divorced with three young children. Although she had a job, she had a mortgage, utilities, and childcare expenses. She found it impossible to provide food for her children.

Womack-Murray said she was among the working poor who couldn't qualify for food stamps. She said she shared her story with a stranger who guided her to a food pantry at a nearby church where she received a box of groceries and a $10 voucher to buy meat at a local supermarket. This act of kindness helped her to realize she wanted to leave a lasting imprint on the world through committing her life to a ministry of loving and serving others.

The organization receives no federal, state, or private funding. Many times Womack-Murray uses her own money to keep the ministry operating.

Over they ears, the organization has grown, Womack-Murray said. In 2007, when many of the post Katrina resources were gone, and people were still returning to the city to rebuild their lives and renovate their homes, Love in Action Outreach served people from an open lot at the corner of Reynes Street and Chef Menteur Highway.

Ten years later, Love in Action Outreach is still providing much needed resources to the elderly, disabled, and economically disadvantaged, Womack-Murray said.